In the United States to extend intelligence assistance to Ukraine for strikes on Russian energy facilities
The Trump administration plans to provide additional information to Ukraine to help kyiv hit oil and gas facilities in Russia, according to three sources knowing the issue.
It would be the first time that the United States has extended intelligence aid to Ukraine since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.
The Wall Street Journal first pointed out the administration’s plans.
Trump’s rhetoric on Russia has moved in the last month. He criticized Moscow, the appellant a “paper tiger” who turned out to be unable to defeat his smallest neighbor.
After Trump publicly faced the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the oval office, the United States suspended intelligence with kyiv in March for about a week. The suspension has rocked the government of Ukraine and the European allies because kyiv relies strongly on American intelligence for its war effort.
With increasingly sophisticated drones and missiles, Ukraine has intensified sabotage attacks against pipelines, refineries and other energy infrastructure at the bottom of the Russian territory. Attacks are starting to inflict significant damage to the Russian energy sector, according to analysts.
American information could make these strikes even more effective, and Ukraine hopes that Trump administration will accept its longer -range American missile requests.
Vice-president JD Vance told Fox News on Sunday that the administration was considering Ukraine’s demand for long-range tomahawk missiles, which have a range of 1,500 miles.
In August, the administration announced the sale of prolonged attack ammunition for Ukraine, NATO member countries buying arms on behalf of kyiv. These missiles have 150 to 280 miles.
Russia has played the Trump administration plans to extend intelligence sharing.
“The United States regularly transmitted online Ukraine intelligence. The supply and use of all NATO and the United States infrastructure to collect and transfer information to the Ukrainians is obvious,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, journalists said.
But Peskov warned the United States that all Tomahawk cruise missile shipments would represent “a new serious tension series that will require an adequate response on the Russian side”.
The missiles can travel up to 1,500 miles, putting Moscow within range.
In his annual speech on foreign policy Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country was in conflict with all NATO.
“Many countries are fighting against us. All NATO countries are fighting against us. They no longer hide it,” said Putin.
He warned the Trump administration not to Greenlight the sale of long -range tomahawk missiles in Ukraine.
“Can the tomahawks hurt us? They can,” said Putin. “We will bring them down and improve our air defense systems.”
“It is impossible to use tomahawks without the direct participation of American military personnel.
Putin has also threatened Europe, where a series of drone incursions have put many countries on alert.
“We closely monitor the growing militarization of Europe,” said Putin. “Russia’s response will not be long to come. The response to threats, to say it slightly, will be very convincing.”
